Chapter 21

After dinner, Baisiaosheng and Linghuchong entered the cave, carefully pondering Tian Boguang's swift knife technique, searching for its weaknesses. The night was short, and to achieve results, Linghuchong even demonstrated the swift knife technique he had secretly learned, while Baisiaosheng watched, recorded, and even carved the technique on the wall.

Tian Boguang's swift knife technique was not hard to understand. Once Baisiaosheng had carved it out, he felt that the technique was quite ordinary. However, thinking about the power of the technique in Tian Boguang's hands, both Baisiaosheng and Linghuchong fell silent.

Was it the technique that had a hidden secret, or was it Tian Boguang's skill? The two knew that the technique itself was simple, but it was Tian Boguang who made it incredibly powerful and formidable. Realizing this, they both had a newfound respect for Tian Boguang.

"Linghu brother, Tian Boguang's knife technique seems somewhat similar to the sword techniques of the Songshan Sect," Linghuchong suddenly said. Baisiaosheng nodded, understanding what Linghuchong meant. Both techniques emphasized a heavy, powerful momentum. However, there were differences: the Songshan Sect's sword techniques were straightforward and overwhelming, while Tian Boguang's knife technique focused on speed. Although they seemed similar, their core principles were different.

Therefore, using the methods to counter the Songshan Sect's sword techniques to deal with Tian Boguang's swift knife technique would not work. However, this could still provide some useful insights.

They then went to study the Songshan Sect's sword techniques, carefully examining the techniques and countermeasures. As they studied, Baisiaosheng suddenly had a new idea. "Linghu brother, what if we use the Songshan Sect's sword techniques to attack straightforwardly? What would happen?"

Linghuchong was taken aback, his gaze shifting to the Songshan Sect's sword techniques, his face showing deep thought. After a while, he frowned. "That could be a way. If it were a senior from the Songshan Sect, it might work, but with my sword techniques..." He shook his head, and Baisiaosheng understood his meaning. Although Linghuchong's sword techniques were not ordinary, he practiced the Huashan Sect's techniques. It was unreasonable to expect him to master the essence of the Songshan Sect's techniques in just one night.

The two spent the entire night thinking about the martial arts on the walls. By dawn, they still had no effective plan, which left them both worried and uncertain about what to do.

Tian Boguang's knife technique was simple, essentially stripping away the complexity to make each move extremely simple, reducing many weaknesses. He compensated for the technique's simplicity with speed, turning a simple technique into the famous "Thirteen Forms of Sand and Stone." This was similar to how Linghuchong faced Dongfang Bubai in "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer." Was Dongfang Bubai without weaknesses? No! Linghuchong could see his weaknesses, but his speed was too fast. Even if there were weaknesses, you couldn't keep up with his speed, making them useless.

Tian Boguang was now what Dongfang Bubai would be in the future for the two of them!

Shaking their heads, they walked back to the wall with Tian Boguang's knife technique. But when they saw it, they were both stunned. They looked at each other, seeing the shock in each other's eyes—Who could enter here silently and carve a long sword on the wall?

'Feng Qingyang!' Unlike Linghuchong's ignorance, Baisiaosheng thought of the old sword master. He looked around, but there was no sign of Feng Qingyang in the cave. Only the clear sword marks on the wall, pointing to the weaknesses in Tian Boguang's knife technique, told them someone had been there!

Suppressing their shock, they focused on the sword marks. These were not sword technique diagrams but small swords, each pointing to a weakness in Tian Boguang's knife technique. The specific techniques were not explained, but this was enough. Look at Linghuchong; he slowly thought about which Huashan Sect techniques to use to counter the weaknesses, and previously disconnected techniques now came together.

Compared to his significant gain, Baisiaosheng's gain was also considerable. Linghuchong thought about the Huashan Sect's techniques, while Baisiaosheng thought about the Hengshan Sect's techniques he was familiar with.

Because he lacked Linghuchong's level, Baisiaosheng spent much longer thinking, but his sword technique level greatly improved, and the many changes in his techniques inspired him.

In terms of gains, he might have even surpassed Linghuchong!

As the two were immersed in their respective sword technique insights, Tian Boguang's impatient voice came from outside the cave: "Linghu brother, Baisiaosheng brother, it's already dawn. Come out and spar."

The sound woke them up. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with smiles. With Feng Qingyang's guidance, not only did Linghuchong feel confident, but Baisiaosheng also felt he could match Tian Boguang. Of course, he didn't dare say he could win, as Linghuchong didn't win against Tian Boguang the first time in "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," but fighting for over a hundred moves was not a problem.

Linghuchong, who was one level higher than Baisiaosheng, was even more confident.

The two walked out of the cave, Linghuchong holding his long sword. "Tian brother, why are you so impatient? Aren't you afraid of losing to me again? You should know that you lost yesterday, and if you lose again, you'll have to leave Huashan."

"Hmph! Linghuchong, I admit your sword technique has improved rapidly, but to surpass me, Tian Boguang, you need to practice for a few more years." With a cold snort, Tian Boguang brandished his knife. "Stop talking nonsense, come!"

With that, he swung his knife horizontally, not giving Linghuchong a chance to react, attacking with extremely fast knife techniques, one after another, without pause.

Linghuchong quickly raised his sword to block, stepping back, and taunted, "Tian brother, why are you imitating me, Linghuchong? Do you know you're not my match and are using this method to deal with me?"

"Less talk, if I don't defeat you today, I'll take your surname."

As they spoke, their weapons clashed. In the blink of an eye, Tian Boguang had attacked seven or eight times, his knife technique faster than the day before, earning Baisiaosheng's admiration. If it were yesterday, Linghuchong would have lost, but knowing the weaknesses in Tian Boguang's knife technique, they no longer felt it was impossible to defend.

Look at Linghuchong; although he was constantly defending, each block hit the weaknesses in Tian Boguang's knife technique, forcing him to change his moves quickly. This sudden change would increase his physical exhaustion, and when he was nearly exhausted, Linghuchong would counterattack.

After about seventy or eighty moves, Tian Boguang's knife technique indeed slowed down. Linghuchong's long sword trembled, and he launched a counterattack. His sword pointed directly at the weaknesses in Tian Boguang's knife technique, making Tian Boguang's heart race. He changed his technique, but Linghuchong's next move still targeted the weaknesses. Tian Boguang might not have known the weaknesses in his technique, but his years of developed sense of danger clearly told him that if he didn't change, he would lose. So, under Linghuchong's sword technique, he changed his moves quickly, and Linghuchong continued to attack the weaknesses.

In the blink of an eye, the attack and defense roles were reversed, and Tian Boguang, forced to change his moves repeatedly, consumed more energy.

They understood that it wouldn't be long before Tian Boguang lost. Unless he used his internal energy to speed up his technique, but the rule was not to use internal energy. Yesterday, he lost because he used internal energy. If he used it again today, even if he defeated Linghuchong, it would still be a loss.

Tian Boguang was once again in a dilemma.

His inner turmoil disrupted his knife technique, and Linghuchong saw his chance. His long sword spun, circling Tian Boguang's knife, producing a continuous ringing sound. With a thud, Linghuchong's sword flicked, and Tian Boguang's knife flew out, drawing a beautiful parabola and landing in the ground, while blood flowed from his wrist.

He looked up, his eyes somewhat defeated, and his expression made Linghuchong and Baisiaosheng feel something was wrong.

"Ah!" Suddenly, Tian Boguang shouted, his bloodied right hand moving to strike his own head. The action was so sudden that it startled Linghuchong and Baisiaosheng. They leaped to stop him, but it was too late. Just as Tian Boguang was about to strike himself, a pebble, thrown from behind Linghuchong and Baisiaosheng, hit Tian Boguang's right shoulder, dislocating it and causing it to hang limply.

Linghuchong and Baisiaosheng were greatly shocked. Baisiaosheng knew Feng Qingyang was extraordinary, but he didn't expect him to be so powerful. The speed and force of the pebble were unimaginable. If it had hit him, he wouldn't have been able to dodge.

They turned to see an old man with white beard and green robe standing at the cave entrance. He looked depressed, his face pale, appearing silently and almost dreamlike.

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